Hey all, my name is Alvin and I live in E. Oregon. Recently traded off a 95 Chevy 4x4 w/ a broken trans. for this 75 baja w/ a Ford 2.3 already installed. Doesn't appear to be a rust bucket but then I don't know all the "secret" places to look on a VW. The engine swap obviously wasn't done by a pro but at least they didn't leave it hanging on the VW motor mounts only. I def. need to put some type of rubber motor mounts on though, the mirrors vibrate so bad at just an idle you can't use them for any thing other than decoration! The guy I traded prob. thinks he stuck a fat hog in the butt on this deal but I can do just about all the work necesary on this rig that I couldn't really do on the Chevy's trans and prob cheaper too.......unless the SERIOUS off-road bug bites me too!! I'll have to wait on pics for you folks 'til I can find the right cord for the camera, and of course take the pics. Current (pressing) needs are :

- get the carb rebuilt...I got a complete(?) FI head, intake, & wiring for the 2.3 but I want to drive it NOW not eventually
- fix the hack job on the throttle cable & find out if the orig. choke works or is even there
- fix the wiring for the headlights (some cops have no sense of humor!)
- put in a patch panel in front of the engine, some yo-yo cut a 2 ft.x2 ft. hole in the firewall up to the rr window.
- plumb in a heater core/fan setup. winter up here is COLD!
- figure out a better way to mount the radiator, currently bolted onto angle iron that is mounted on the engine cage just waitin' to catch a rock or bird
- gotta do something about the seats. More wire & springs than anything else
- decide if I want a back seat or not and act accordingly
- figure out something better for the exhaust header/muffler.
- fix the driver's seat adjustment rail so I can reach the pedals and be comfy at the same time

Last edited by bajagill on Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:56 AM; edited 1 times in total

- 2.3 Ford already installed!! Anyone for wheelies?
- other than the seats and rug the interior is in pretty decent shape
- NO broken glass
- baja kit was put on well, only missing one bolt in back
- nice aluminum slot mags-14 in frt and 15in rr all w/ good tires not crap
- the tags are only 2 months old!
- ALL the turn signals and brake lights work

Well, I know the bad list is longer than the good list but most new toys like this have that prob anyway. I'm really looking forward to turning this baja into a sweet hunting and playing rig that I can still use for a DD w/ style! Also really pleased that I found this site and the folks on here seem very friendly and helpful too. The only thing I'll need to really think on is how will I be able to haul around my bass guitar and full stack if I want to take this rig to a gig? I can't imagine that towing a trailer w/ one of these would any fun lol! hmmmm, maybe the new seats will have a QD base so they could just pop out and back in?? Anyone out there already got this kind of setup?

Your bass will easily fit in the bug with you. When you say full stack, we are talking about a 8x10 right? Should be about 4 foot tall if so. I think you should be able to build a roof rack that extends over the back of the car a little and fit your stack up there fairly easily. Welcome to the site!

_________________A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Your bass will easily fit in the bug with you. When you say full stack, we are talking about a 8x10 right? Should be about 4 foot tall if so. I think you should be able to build a roof rack that extends over the back of the car a little and fit your stack up there fairly easily. Welcome to the site!

I wish I had an 8x10!! Nope, I have a 4x10, 1x15, and a 2x10 (or any combo thereof) plus the amp head. And, while I am not a weinie, I don't have much desire to try lifting something that big head-high to load it then have worry about someone being "helpful" trying to get it down.

Cool. I used to play out of a 4x10 and 2x15. Band mates won't be willing to help you load and unload? Maybe make the passenger seat removable with some sort of quick release system. If you could do that and didn't have a back seat, you might be able to squeeze it all in the back seat area?

_________________A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I'd just haul a trailer, it'd be easier than trying to stuff all that in the back. Get a motorcycle size trailer. You should have no trouble pulling it.

Kyle

I had thought about that but the inside dimensions would have to be at least 4 ft x 3 ft x 3ft just to hold the speakers and amp. The only bike trailers I've seen that big would cost more than buying an old Toyota p/u and canopy. Thanks though.

Get a trailer I have a 4x8 open top Box trailer and with the 2.3 it pulls just fine. But you will need to upgrade your brakes!!!! (Disc if you have Drums)

As for Wheelies...No not realy The front end will get light on you and will be hard to turn if your on it. but will not leave the ground or it will by a few inches or so and u can feel it in the steering wheel. When the engine ws in my old sand rail it was a Wheelie monster. ther is just too much extra metal and gas up front to do the same with a Baja.

bajagill wrote:

Now some of the good stuff:

- 2.3 Ford already installed!! Anyone for wheelies?
- other than the seats and rug the interior is in pretty decent shape
- NO broken glass
- baja kit was put on well, only missing one bolt in back
- nice aluminum slot mags-14 in frt and 15in rr all w/ good tires not crap
- the tags are only 2 months old!
- ALL the turn signals and brake lights work

Well, I know the bad list is longer than the good list but most new toys like this have that prob anyway. I'm really looking forward to turning this baja into a sweet hunting and playing rig that I can still use for a DD w/ style! Also really pleased that I found this site and the folks on here seem very friendly and helpful too. The only thing I'll need to really think on is how will I be able to haul around my bass guitar and full stack if I want to take this rig to a gig? I can't imagine that towing a trailer w/ one of these would any fun lol! hmmmm, maybe the new seats will have a QD base so they could just pop out and back in?? Anyone out there already got this kind of setup?

_________________There has been a hostile takeover by an extreme militant group with an unknown agenda, I have lost complete control of AzBaja.com..... ︻┳デ═一

Get a trailer I have a 4x8 open top Box trailer and with the 2.3 it pulls just fine. But you will need to upgrade your brakes!!!! (Disc if you have Drums)

As for Wheelies...No not realy The front end will get light on you and will be hard to turn if your on it. but will not leave the ground or it will by a few inches or so and u can feel it in the steering wheel. When the engine ws in my old sand rail it was a Wheelie monster. ther is just too much extra metal and gas up front to do the same with a Baja.

Man, there you go dashing my dreams already. I been kinda thinking about the disc brake upgrade but I think I'll save that one for later after it's running like top and has decent seats.

I really like the idea of a rack on top. Was it 'Zyla I read somewhere was building one recently? A rack would prob go a lo-o-o-ong way toward what I plan on packing around with the baja. Utility , hunting, DD, playtoy

Welcome to Az Baja. A roof rack with a light weight takedown swing out lift will hoist the amps up with ease. A removeable shelf that encompasses the back seat and passenger seat area should work.

It would have to be one heck of a lift, the ship weight for the 4x10, 1x15, and the amp head was 200 lbs. I'm thinking I would really like to have a back seat to haul my grown kids and/or grandson around with. Gotta show jr. that gramps knows how to have fun too!! If I (or one of you folks) come up with any ideas for a rear seat that folded out flat like a futon and still have the bottom of the seat flip up for access to the batt. that would be sweet! Be able to throw in a platform of some sort for a flat durable deck....maybe size that to lay flat in the bottom of the roof rack so it's always handy and it would only require 1 or 2 bolts to hold it in while traveling.....Oh yeah, prob. be good idea to put in a couple grab bars in up front for grandma and some 4 or 5 pt. harnesses too! The mrs. is blind so she can't see the bumps and stuff coming up. Though, the driving style when she's along would likely be a bit tamer!! lol!

200 lbs is not heavy. I'm leaning towards the in car shelf since the stuff is out of sight and protected from the elements. Leave the back seat take it and the front seat out out when you want to haul your stuff. A simple electrical conduit frame and some 3/8 plywood will work for an in car shelf.

Welcome to the site. And congratulations on your baja. I have a '90 2wd Chevy full size pickup with a rebuilt 4.3 motor and a blown trans that I would love to trade for a decent baja if I could find one.

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